News

Major roadworks planned for A591 Kendal bypass after Easter

MAJOR road improvement work is to be carried out on the A591 Kendal bypass, starting after the Easter holiday weekend.

Cumbria County Council is investing £1 million in the work, which will involve reconstructing and resurfacing both the north and southbound lanes of the dual carriageway between Hawes Lane and the Shenstone interchange.

Resurfacing work will start after the Easter weekend on Tuesday April 22 and works will be carried out in phases to minimise traffic disruption. It is scheduled to be completed by May 23.

Advance work to construct central reservation crossovers for traffic at Shenstone interchange and Prizet garages is planned to start on Thursday (March 27). One lane will be closed in each direction along this section of the A591 to protect the safety of the public and contractors. Due to the need to remove all works before Easter, the lane closures will only be in place for the first week and then removed on April 4, when lane restrictions will be lifted.

When the resurfacing work starts a contraflow system will be in place to divert traffic on to one side of the dual carriageway while the other side is being resurfaced. A 30mph speed limit will be in place throughout the works. The contraflow system and associated signed diversion routes will be varied throughout the phases of work to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. Roadside gullies will also be replaced as part of the works.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said local residents and businesses have been consulted about the scheme to ensure access to properties is maintained at all times, and the timing of the work has been determined to reduce the impact on businesses as much as possible.

Variable message signs will be in place on the bypass advising road users of the resurfacing work. Advance warning signs will also be placed on Milnthorpe Road and Crook Road, Kendal, and on Plumgarths roundabout.

The exact timing for each phase of the works is still being confirmed with the council’s contractor, but full details of each phase and diversions affecting access to Hawes Lane and Whetstone Lane, near the Prizet garages, and Shenstone, Kendal, will be available on the county council’s website when they are confirmed with the contractor.

Coun Keith Little, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: "The council is investing around £1 million in this essential maintenance work on one of the busiest roads in South Lakeland. We have timed the resurfacing to take place after the Easter weekend, to minimise the impact on road users, but we would advise drivers to allow extra time for their journeys during the works. Some disruption will be unavoidable and we apologise for any inconvenience but ultimately everyone will benefit from a much improved road surface once the work is completed."